Apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves



Nov. 8, 1966 J. w. BELL, JR 3,283,921

APPARATUS FOR STRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES Filed Oct. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN W. BELL, JR.

BY w. E SAW ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1966 J. w. BELL, JR 3, 3,

APPARATUS FOR STRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES Filed Oct. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN w. BELL JR.

BY W2, SZM

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,233,921 APPARATUS FOR STRHJGING ToBAeco LEAVES John W. Bell, Jr., 141 W. 19th St., Paris, Ky. Filed Oct. 14, 1964, Sell. No. 403,802 4 Claims. c1. 214-55 This invention relates to an improved apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves, and more particularly to a simplified and labor-saving apparatus of the type employing a pair of twisted strings for holding the tobacco leaves in place within the prescribed array.

Numerous devices for stringing tobacco leaves by twisting a string therearound have been developed, but those with which I am familiar have had certain attendant disadvantages which it is a purpose of my invention to overcome. For example, when the strings are exposed above an unobstructed work table, interference with the strings is likely to occur during sorting of the leaves to be strung. Moreover, when the forward ends of the strings are attached at a fixed point, the workers are usually required to shift position or to stretch the arms unduly when bringing the leaves to the strings adjacent such fixed points. In addition, conventional apparatus does not lend itself to ready dissembly nor to compact storage for transportation.

An object of the invention is to provide a coordinated arrangement of tobacco stringing equipment in which the manual effort of the operators may be more efiiciently employed when contrasted with the use of conventional equipment of this nature.

Another object is to provide an improved string feeding arrangement in combination with an improved table and a string-tobacco-receiving apron structure.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which is safe to use, and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves and which comprises a knock-down structure which may be readily assembled or disassembled, and can be stowed in compact form.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the description proceeds and when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the relative locations of the several parts with respect to a floor or other supporting surface.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the table top showing the location of the detachable apron with respect thereto and with parts broken away and with the strings removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the essential elements of an electrical circuit for actuating the stringing apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the initial portion of a grouping of leaves strung in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a table or work-bench structure which preferably is formed of sheet metal, comprises a generally horizontal top It) which is supported above the floor or other supporting surface 11 by means of legs 12 detachably connected thereto. At the rear end the table has detachably connected thereto an upstanding back wall 13 on which in turn an upstanding bobbinsupporting column 14 is detachably secured and with the upper end 15 of the column being disposed at an angle to the vertical. Bisecting the table top and detachably secured thereto is a truncated triangular divider panel 16 providing two separated but capacious working spaces into which large masses of separate tobacco leaves may be deposited. These leaves may be handled by two workers standing at opposite sides of the table, but if desired one Worker can serve the apparatus in a somewhat less eflicient manner.

Table top 16 is formed with a downwardly directed peripheral flange 17, as best seen in FIG. 3 and to the interior of this flange the legs 12 are detachably affixed. At the front side of the table a centering stud 18 projects outwardly from the flange. For cooperation with the table a generally V-shaped strung-tobacco-receiving apron, preferably formed of sheet metal, is provided and this apron includes a right hand sheet 24) and a left-hand sheet 21 (when viewed in the direction of the 'bobbinsupporting column) arranged with an upwardly directed apex which has its upper or first end 22 located above the plane of the table and its lower or second end 23 located adjacent the floor 11. The confronting edges of the apron sheets are bent into flanges which engage with each other and which are shaped to provide an open-top recess 24 within which a tobacco stick 25 may rest in inclined position with its lower end in contact with the floor. Fastening means such as screws or bolts 26 join the apron sheets detachably to each other and cross braces 27 and 28 detachably connect the under sides of the apron sheets in order to add rigidity during use. Brace 28 contains a centrally located aperture receiving the stud 18 and positioning the apron in usable position with respect to the table.

A pair of suitably inclined shrouds 29 and 30 are attached to the apron sheets (FIG. 2) and the lower ends of the shrouds closely approach the table top. This structure not only covers the otherwise exposed upper edges of the apron sheets, against which tobacco leaves might strike while being brought to their stringing position, but in addition provides a guide surface upon which the latest strung hand of leaves may rest temporarily in the event that the operator does not push the same sufliciently far forward to start them on a downward path across the apron surfaces.

For cooperation with the thus described static portions of the apparatus, I provide an improved stringing means which conveniently includes a conventional adjustable string-tensioning bobbin assembly carrying two spools of string from which the strands 35 and 36 are drawn.

The strands 35 and 36 are separated from each other at progressively shorter distances as they approach their junction point with each other and which point is located adjacent the upper end 22 of the apex of the above-described apron structure. The spools of string are mounted upon a bar 37 attached to shaft 38 driven by an electric motor 39. The mot-or is mounted upon the inclined upper end 15 of the column and the shaft 38 is aligned in a direction which generally intersects the upper or first end 22 of the apex of the above described apron. Any suitable motor may be employed, as for example, the magnetic brake gear motor model 3MO13 manufactured by Dayton Electric Mfg. Co., Chicago, Illinois and which turns at 35 rpm. and has a one-seventieth horse power rating. Associated with this motor is a conventional normally open .microswitch 40 mounted at a particular location with respect to the mechanical structure of the apparatus and with respect to the normal arm movements of the operat ors, as will later appear; and which switch controls the.

motor operation as will be apparent from the circuit shown in FIG. 4 and now to be described. In normal operation, the motor drives the bobbin assembly through a single revolution and then stops.

A line 41 from an AC. source connects to one terminal 42 of the motor and a second line 43 connects toone terminal 44 of the normally open motor switch 45 which is actuated by cam follower 46 associated with cam 47 driven by the motor shaft. A conductor 48- eXtends to one terminal of microswitch 46* from the one terminal 44.

of the motor switch 45. A second conductor 49 extends from the other terminal of microswitch 40 to the second terminal 50 of the motor and a third conductor 57 extends from the second terminal 52 of the motor switch 45 to motor terminal 50. Thus when the normally open micnoswitch is closed, a circuit is made from line 43, conductor 48, close switch 40, conductor 49 to motor terminal 50, through the motor winding to terminal 42, and thence to return line 41. As the motor starts to turn, cam 47 shifts cam follower 46 which in turn closes motor switch 45 and an overriding circuit is made from line 43 through closed motor switch 45 to motor terminal 50, through the winding to terminal 42, and thence to return line 41. Meanwhile, microswitch 40 has reopened and motor 39 rotates through only one revolution after which it is halted by its brake and its motor switch is reopened by its cam follower dropping into the recess of cam 47.

Passing now to FIG. 3, I provide a bracket 60 attached to the apron structure and supporting a vertical plate 61 upon which the movable arm of microswitch 40 is pivotally mounted by a pin 62. The exposed upper face of the movable arm portion of the microswitch is adapted to be contacted and to be depressed by the butt stern portions of the tobacco leaves as they are brushed thereagainst while being manually moved to stringing position adjacent the upper end 22 of the apron. A small spring 63 restores the movable arm of the switch to its normally open position as soon as such leayes are strung. The conductors 48 and 49 are suitably housed in a cable (not shown) which is trained over the forward edge of the table top 10, and extends under the table to column 14 and thence, along with a cable containing lines 41 and 43, to motor 39.

The cable for conductors 48 and 49 preferably includes a disconnect coupling so that when moving the apparatus from place to place, the apron can be slipped from engagement with stud i8 and carried as a unit with the microswitch 40 still mounted thereon. As will be understood, the table divider 16 lies beneath the conical space defined by the movement of strings 35 and 36 and aids in preventing interference with those strings during the sorting of the leaves preparatory to stringing the same. The elevated positions of both the bobbin-assembly and of the microswitch 40 with respect to the table top also contributes to the freedom from interference of the leaves and strings. Having thus described the apparatus, the following advantages found in operating such apparatus will be apparent from such description. With masses of separated leaves resting on the table top and on each side of the divider panel 16, one of the operators first draws a suitable length of string from the spools and ties the two ends together with a knot 64 which is located slightly beyond the switch 40. He then takes a plurality of sorted leaves having their stem butts in general alignment and places the same between the two strings and then briefly touches the movable arm of the switch 49 with these leaves. Immediately the motor turns through one revolution twisting the strings behind the initial group A of the leaves, as seen in FIG. and confining the same against knot 64. This group of strung leaves is then deposited on the surface of apron sheet 21 and hangs downwardly thus placing tension on the strings extending to the bobbin assembly. The companion operator meanwhile places the next group of leaves B between the strings, touches the switch 40 and allows the strung leaves to hang downwardly on apron sheet 20. This alternate action continues until the desired number of groups of leaves are strung, after which the strings are cut and tied together with another knot (not shown). As will be seen, the groups of strung leaves straddle the tobacco stick 25 and no attachment of the strings to that stick is required, although, if desired, such an attachment can be made without departing from the practice of the invention.

Since the force of gravity is employed to advance the successively strung groups of leaves along the downwardly inclined apron, it becomes unnecessary for the operators to shift their positions at the table until the holding capacity of the tobacco stick is reached. Moreover, the operators do not have to stretch their arms beyond the position of switch 40 after the stringing cycle is begun. The bobbin assembly with its customary guide eyes and spring loadings for use in paying out of the string, makes possible a regulation of the tightness of the twist around the bundles of leaves and avoids undue slack in the strands 35 and 36.

The detachable nature of the several parts permits the apparatus to be disassembled readily and to be transported easily from place to place, as between indoor and outdoor sites of use. The simple nature of the apparatus also permits the manufacturer to ship the same in knockdown condition with a readily followed instruction sheet which is employed by the ultimate user in assembling the structure.

Having thus described the invention by reference to a specific form embodying the same, it will be understood that it may also be embodied in other forms within the scope of the appended claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves and comprising in combination, a generally horizontal table for supporting a supply of leaves to be strung, a generally V- shaped apron mounted at one end of said table for guiding strung leaves downwardly away from said table by gravity, said apron having an upwardly directed apex with a first end thereof located above the plane of said table and a second end located below said plane, a rotatable bobbin assembly mounted at an end of said table opposite said apron and at a higher elevation than said first end of said apron apex and feeding a pair of separate strings to a junction point with each other adjacent said first end of said apron apex, said strings being separated from each other at progressively shorter distances as they approach said junction point whereby leaves interposed between said strings adjacent said junction point are closely confined by said strings, an electric motor for driving said bobbin assembly and for effecting twisting of said strings about said leaves, and a pressure-actuated switch for controlling the starting of said motor, said switch being mounted adjacent said first end of said apron apex and in the path of movement of leaves being moved in confinement between said strings and toward said junction point of said strings thereby to provide a brushing of said confined leaves against said switch and a subsequent operation of said switch to start said motor.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor is adapted to effect one revolution of said bobbin assembly in response to one impulse from said pressure switch.

3. Apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves and comprising in combination, a generally horizontal table for supporting a supply of leaves to be strung, a generally V- shaped apron for guiding strung leaves downwardly away from said table by gravity, said apron having an upwardly directed apex with a first end thereof above the plane of said table and a second end located below said plane, a truncated triangular divider extending along the mid-section of the top of said table and having its shorter edge disposed adjacent and below said first end of said apron apex, said divider separating said supply of leaves on said table into portions which are later directed in strung conditions along the respective sides of said apron, a rotatable bobbin assembly mounted above the taller edge of said divider and at a higher elevation than said first end of said apron apex and feeding a pair of separate strings to a junction point with each other adjacent said first end of said apron apex, said strings being separated from each other at progressively shorter distances as they approach said junction point whereby leaves interposed between said strings adjacent said junction point are closely confined by said strings, an electric motor for driving said bobbin assembly and for effecting twisting of said strings about said leaves, and a pressure-actuated switch for controlling the starting of said motor, said switch being mounted above the shorter edge of said divider adjacent said first end of 5 divider, said shrouds being adapted to provide an emergency support for strung groups of leaves prior to movement thereof into contact with said apron.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,571,003 10/1951 Anderson 214 5.5 2,649,977 8/1953 Palmer 214 5.5 2,722,321 11/1955 Touton 2145.5

10 2,792,949 5/1957 Deskur 214-55 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR STRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES AND COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL TABLE FOR SUPPORTING A SUPPLY OF LEAVES TO BE STRUG, A GENERALLY VSHAPED APRON MNOUNTED AT ONE END OF SAID TABLE FOR GUIDING STRUNG LEAVES DOWNWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID TABLE BY GRAVITY, SAID APRON HAVING AN UPWARDLY DIRECTED APEX WITH A FIRST END THEREOF LOCATED ABOVE THE PLANE OF SAID TABLE AND A SECOND END LOCATED BELOW SAID PLANE, A ROTATABLE BOBBIN ASSEMBLY MOUNTED AT AN END OF SAID TABLE OIPPOSITE SAID APRON AND AT A HIGHER ELEVATION THAN SAID FIRST END OF SAID APRON APEX AND FEEDING A PAIR OF SEPARATE STRINGS TO A JUNCTION POINT WITH EACH OTHER ADJACENT SAID FIRST END OF SAID APRON APEX, SAID STRINGS BEING SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER AT PROIGRESSIVELY SHORTER DISTANCES AS THEY APPROAVH SAID JUNCTION POINT WHEREBY LEAVES INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID STRINGS ADJACENT SAID JUNCTION POINT ARE CLOSELY CONFINED BY SAID STRINGS, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR DRIVING SAID BOBBIN ASSEMBLY AND FOR EFFECTING TWISTING OF SAID STRINGS ABOUT SAID LEAVES, AND A PRESSURE-ACTUATED SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THE STARTING OF SAID MOTOR, SAID SWITCH BEING MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID FIRST END OF SAID APRON APEX AND IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF LEAVES BEING MOVED IN CONFINEMENT BETWEEN SAID STRINGS AND TOWARD SAID JUNCTION POINT OF SAID STRINGS THEREBY TO PROVIDE BRUSHING OF SAID CONFINED LEAVES AGAINST SAID SWITCH AND A SUBSEQUENT OPERATION OF SAID SWITCH TO START SAID MOTOR. 